Honey and cinnamon are two of the most powerful kitchen ingredients that not only taste great together, but the mixing of the two can be even more beneficial. The combination of honey and cinnamon has been used for centuries in both traditional Chinese and Ayurveda. Cinnamon is known to be beneficial in treating digestive problems and strengthens joint. On the other hand, honey has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help fight bacterial and fungal infections.
Apart from this, honey is also a rich source of, amino acid, niacin, riboflavin, iron, calcium, etc. The reason these two foods are so great for the body is mainly because they can control swelling, fight free radicals and boost the immune system. Few of the top uses of honey and cinnamon are:
1. Allergies
Cinnamon has essential oils that helps in curing various allergies. Honey is rich in pollen which can boost your immune system and helps build tolerance against these allergies and naturally fight them. When two of them are consumed together, they tend to boost the immune system of the body. Honey and cinnamon also soothe pain from swelling and congestion that can come from certain allergies. Take one cup warm water, and mix one tablespoon of honey and one fourth teaspoon of cinnamon powder in it. Drink this mixture regularly for three days for better results.
2. Arthritis
Arthritis is a general term that refers to pain, swelling and stiffness in your joints. The honey and cinnamon paste can be effective in treating arthritis pain. As cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde and cinnamic acid, both of which have antioxidant properties that help inhibit cell damage caused by free radicals, and honey possesses natural anti-bacterial properties and contains potassium, which comes together to treat the swelling. Mix two tablespoons of raw honey with one tablespoon of powdered cinnamon. Apply this paste on the affected area, and rub it into your skin. You can also mix honey and cinnamon powder into a cup of warm water and drink it on regular basis to treat arthritis.
3. The Common Cold
Honey and cinnamon are also effective in healing cough and cold. Both the ingredients are anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-microbial, can fight the virus which causes cough and cold. Drinking a mixture of half teaspoon cinnamon powder with one teaspoon honey, right before bedtime can help relieve cough and cold symptoms. So, when cinnamon is mixed with raw honey, many people never get sick at all. Or, if they get sick with the common cold, they get better very quickly.
4. Cardiovascular Disease
Honey and cinnamon are used for reducing the cholesterol levels and thus providing additional protection to your heart. A high cholesterol level (LDL or “bad” cholesterol) can result in atherosclerosis or plaque buildup on the walls of arteries and vessels, thereby increasing the chances of a clot forming that can result in a heart attack or a stroke. Add 3 teaspoon of cinnamon powder and 2 teaspoons of honey in warm water and drink it on a regular basis to keep your heart healthy.
5. Diabetes
Both cinnamon and honey lower blood sugar levels. Honey also lowers the level of bad LDL cholesterol and raises good HDL cholesterol. This is great because diabetics are usually at a higher risk of cholesterol problems.